2019 Mercedes-Benz CLA Finally Worthy Of The Three-Pointed Star
- US launch scheduled for May this year.
- Is now longer, wider and lower than before.
- Gets the interiors from the A-Class.
- The CLA, for the first time, can drive semi-autonomously.
- And yes, there is also a smartwatch which can sync with the car.
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Let's start with the outside. The CLA now looks more bratty with a sharper grille and bumper. Adding aggression to the design are also the new headlamps which look meaner with sharper elements and DRLs. You now also have an option for MULTIBEAM LED headlamps. These units get 18 individually controllable LEDs which allow electronically controlled adjustment of the headlamps on the go. You can also opt for LED High-Performance headlamps but as standard, you will be left with halogen headlamps with integrated LED daytime driving lamps.
Add this to the fact that the new CLA is 48 mm longer, 53 mm wider and two mm lower than the previous generation and what you now have is a more delicious looking coupe. The range of wheels starts at 16 inches and goes up to 19 inches with tyre sizes starting at 205/60 R 16 and ending as standard at 225/40 R 19. In India, though, we might get a set of 17's at best.
The tail lamps too get an all-LED setup. Though the all-new CLA isn't drastically different from the previous generation in terms of the looks, it sure looks more striking. Also, in its first year, the new CLA will be available as an Edition 1 with some additional cosmetic additions.
Inside, it's an all-new story. The interiors which debuted with the A-Class have continued here as well. It is dominated by the MBUX system which comprises of two large screens (one being a touchscreen) under one glass, floating on the dashboard. This time around, this system packs in a lot of cool features like voice commands, assistant and a new non-contact mode which lights up the screen or a particular control as soon as a hand approaches the touchscreen in the dashboard or the touchpad on the centre console. It can also take gesture controls, not only for infotainment but to activates lights as well. In the dark, the reading lamp can be switched on and off by briefly extending a hand towards the rear-view mirror and in the absence of a passenger, if the driver reaches over towards the other seat, it will be illuminated automatically. Also, as soon as the person's hand leaves this area, the light automatically switches off again. Pretty convenient, isn't it?
You also get cabin ambient lighting which extends on to the turbine-like air vents assembled in a 1-3-1 setup. All of this helps the car look and feel a lot more modern than before, and a more desirable place to be. Furthermore, because the car is now 'bigger', two occupants with two arms, two legs and a head should manage to sit at the back with more ease.
Major update here is that the CLA, for the first time, will be able to drive semi-autonomously in certain situations. A set of cameras and radar systems allow it to see up to 500 metres ahead. Also on board are Active Emergency Stop Assist and intuitively understandable Active Lane Change Assist. Plus, you also get PRE-SAFE PLUS which can recognise an imminent rear-end collision and firmly apply the brakes of the stationary vehicle to minimise the risk of injuries.
Also, with the CLA, Mercedes has made the debut of the Mercedes-Benz vivoactive 3 Smartwatch. If it or another compatible Garmin wearable is worn, personal stats such as stress level, quality of sleep and pulse rate are supplied by the wearable are shown on the media display.
When it comes to engines, the car on stage at CES is the CLA 250 and is being powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged, four-cylinder with 225PS/350Nm under the belly. This comes mated to a 7G-DCT transmission. There will be more engine options, both petrol and diesel, with dual-clutch transmissions and 4MATIC all-wheel drive available at the time of launch.
Also, the CLA now gets a wider track (an extra 63 mm at the front and 55 mm more at the rear compared to its predecessor) and a lower centre of gravity to aid its cornering ability. You can even opt for an active adaptive damping system which offers a choice between comfort or a more sporty tuning.
The CLA with all this tech is surely the most advanced car, besting even rivals like the. It will be launched in the US in May 2019 and we can expect it come to India towards the end of this year.
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By Nabeel Khan January 09, 2019 at 03:23PM
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